When potential customers are browsing your products, whether that be on the shelf or online, your label is often the first thing they will see. If you’re launching a new product or refreshing an existing range, product branding through carful label design can be a key driver of consumer perception and sales. At Abbey Labels, we keep a close eye on label branding trends to ensure our customers stay ahead of the curve.
Let’s explore the top label trends and considerations this year and how you can incorporate them into your brand labels to make a lasting impression.
- Minimalist Design with Maximum Impact
Simplistic and uncluttered labels are continuing to rise in popularity. With consumers looking for instantly recognisable branding and logos, many brands are turning to minimalist designs that strip back the noise and focus on essential elements—product name and logo, key benefits, and product specifics such as ingredients where applicable.
Try utilising negative space to your advantage, combine it with bold typography and a pop of colour to draw the eye. This approach creates an eye-catching look and makes the label more easily recognisable from a distance, which is key in a physical setting such as a supermarket or store.
- Sustainable Materials and Eco-Friendly Messaging
More than ever, customers are choosing product labels based on sustainability. Brand labels made from recyclable, compostable, or FSC-certified materials are now expected in many industries—from food and drink to cosmetics and cleaning products.
When thinking about label design consider clearly displaying your sustainability credentials on your label. A simple symbol or message such as “100% recyclable packaging” or “printed with vegan inks” can influence a purchase decision and improve your overall brand image with eco-conscious customers.
- Texture, Foiling, and Other Premium Embellishments
It’s important to stand out in a crowded market, which is why extra details such as tactile and visual embellishments are important to help your product stand out. This year, expect to see more use of label embellishments such as hot foiling, embossing, debossing, and high-build varnishes. These elements add depth, and a luxury feel to packaging, especially popular within the wine, spirits, and beauty sectors.
Embellishments can still be cost-effective even for smaller runs. Talk to our team about ways to add premium finishes without going over budget.
- Storytelling Through Label Design
In recent years, it has been found that consumers want to connect with a brand, and storytelling is a key part of modern product branding. This can be achieved through visuals, typography, and even QR codes that link to videos or behind-the-scenes content.
When designing a label, you can try highlighting your brand’s heritage, sourcing, or production process through smart layout and copy on your label. You can even pair it with a custom QR code to continue the story online.
- Bold Colours and Custom Illustrations
Although not a new concept, colour psychology continues to play a big role in label branding even today. Earthy tones convey sustainability and calm; bright shades evoke energy and fun. Custom illustrations, especially hand-drawn or bespoke graphics, are trending as they add uniqueness and personality to a product, and by extension the brand.
Make sure your colour palette complements your product range, while standing out on the shelf. Our design team can help guide you through colour selection that resonates with your target audience while remaining on brand.
- Smart Labels and Interactive Elements
More than ever, modern technology is influencing label and sticker trends. Tech such as NFC chips and QR codes are being used to deliver bonus content, verify authenticity, or track consumer engagement. These interactive brand labels not only provide more value to your customers but can also offer your business key data insights, as URLs attached to QR codes can be tracked via analytics software.
If you’re interested in using interactive elements such as QR codes on your labels, speak to us to see how we can help you.
Stay Ahead with Abbey Labels
At Abbey Labels, we combine over 20 years of experience with forward-thinking creativity. Our team of experts can help you design and print brand labels that reflect current trends while staying true to your brand and identity. Whether you’re after a sustainable option, luxury embellishments, or something that pushes the boundaries of interactivity – we’re here to make it happen.
Talk to Abbey Labels today about upgrading your packaging with on-trend, eye-catching designs that cultivate your brand. Call us on 01284 750900, or contact us to get started.
